BERLIN – Europe’s largest car maker Volkswagen says it won’t use the ranking of its “Golf” model as Germany’s favourite car in its advertising, after it came to light the country’s main automobile club fudged figures in its poll.

The ADAC, which boasts 18 million members in Germany, admitted this week it had inflated the number of participants in its poll, though said the manipulation had not changed the fact that the Golf was the winner.

Still VW spokesman Stephan Gruehsem told Bild newspaper Tuesday the company would not use the ADAC’s honour in its advertising and called for a “complete investigation” of the situation. VW’s press office confirmed the comments.

ADAC communications chief Michael Ramstetter has admitted the manipulation and quit, but Munich prosecutors say they are considering opening an investigation.